Since the early 1970s, Nicholson Construction Company has led the geotechnical construction industry in developing foundation solutions to meet our clients’ needs using micropile technology.  We offer state-of-the-art design and operational capabilities that lead to both high-quality and cost-effective solutions.

Designed to carry compressive or tensile loads, micropiles (also called minipiles or pin piles) are high-performance, high-capacity drilled and grouted piles with small diameters (typically 5” – 12”) that can extend to depths of 200 feet and achieve working loads over 200 tons.  The drilling equipment and installation methods used allows micropiles to be drilled through virtually every ground condition, natural and artificial, with minimal vibration, disturbance and noise, at any angle below horizontal.  The load is mainly accepted by the steel and transferred via the grout to the surrounding rock or soil by high values of interfacial friction with minimal end bearing components, as in the case for ground anchors and soil nails.  Micropiles are most commonly made up of high strength steel casing and rebar, but can also be installed in some soil conditions using pressure grouted all-thread self-drilling hollow bar systems.    

In general, micropiles are applicable when there are problems with using conventional deep foundation systems like driven piles, drilled shafts, or augercast piling.  These problem conditions include: natural or man-made obstructions, sensitive ground with adjacent structures, limited access/confined spaces and karst geology.  For example, micropiles are commonly the preferred foundation choice in the challenging urban areas that feature mixed fills, nearby buildings and difficult access. 

For more information on how micropiles or other specialty geotechnical construction techniques can beused to cost effectively solve your foundation support or earth retention system challenges, please contact us or call a Nicholson office near you.


World Trade Center Transportation Hub,
New York City
The Nicholson/EE Cruz JV is installing micropiles through and under the active NYCTA #1 Line Subway box.

Common Uses of Micropiles

• To replace deteriorating foundation systems.
• To provide extra support for structures during renovation.
• To provide pile foundations where access, geology or environment prevent the use of other methods.
• To support structures affected by adjacent excavation, tunneling or dewatering activities.
• To provide a fast, effective alternative to more traditional underpinning methods.
• For seismic retrofitting.
• For in-situ reinforcement including embankment, slope and landslide stabilization.

Benefits of Micropiles

• Can be installed through virtually any ground condition, obstruction and foundation and at any inclination.
• Ensure minimum vibration or other damage to foundation and subsoil.
• Can be installed in as little headroom as 6' and close to existing walls.
• Allow facility operations to be maintained during construction.
• Resist compressive, tensile or lateral loads, or combinations of all three.
• Provide impressively high load capacity at extremely low total and permanent settlement.
• Simple and economical connection to existing and new structures.
• Can be preloaded to working load before connecting to particularly sensitive structures.